Wilmette Public Schools history

An election was held in January of 1908 and the first Board of Commissioners was designated.

The first park development was begun in 1910 between Lake and Forest Avenues with the grading and installation of drainage, planting of trees and sodding of a bluff area which at the time was being eroded by waves.

In 1914 the Park District began purchasing land east of Michigan Avenue between Washington and Lake avenues in hopes of creating a continuous lakefront park.

In June of 1916 the Wilmette Woman's Club was granted permission to establish public bathing facilities along the lakefront at the foot of Lake Avenue and north about 300 feet.

This area became known as Washington Park. It was not until 1917 that the first trees could be planted in soil which had been coaxed into existence through a series of cow pea and mullet plantings which were plowed under to create humus matter.

Forest Park, located at 18th Street and Forest Avenue, was purchased in 1926.

Earlywine Park, at 14th Street and Wilmette Avenue, was added to the Park District in 1947.

Langdon Park, first known as Sand-Lo and located at Chestnut Avenue and Sheridan Road, was acquired between 1956-57.

The land that became Centennial Park was acquired between 1967-72.

In June 1972 a $4.4 million referendum was approved overwhelmingly 5,704 to 785 and in November of the same year a Cook County Circuit Court judge set a sale price of $4.2 million on the property.

The same year (1974) the Park District purchased a 4.8 acre site near Skokie Boulevard and Hibbard Road with the aid of a federal grant.

History of the town of Wilmette, Illinois from the first settlement by the Ouilmette family, to the year of America's bicentennial in 1976.

In 1978, District 39 leased Highcrest to the Wilmette Park District in return for facility maintenance and the acceptance of a lease renewed on an annual basis.

The rejuvenated Wallace Bowl was rededicated in July, 1984, and included new stone terraces topped with Douglas fir benches; a new drainage system, new lighting, an enlarged stage and new landscaping and paved pathways allowing access for those with disabilities.

A picnic shelter was added in 1992 and a network of interior sidewalks were built to reduce the amount of on-street pedestrian traffic in 1992.

The former Bell School, which had been developed as an office site, was purchased by the Park District in February, 1995.

On November 7, 2000, voters approved up to $10 million in general obligation bonds to reconstruct the outdoor pools at Centennial Park.

The Wilmette Park District purchased the Mallinckrodt property for $20 million from Loyola University of Chicago in September, 2002.

Following demolition of the old structure, construction of a new club house began in the fall of 2004.

Beginning in the summer of 2005, the Board of Park Commissioners held public hearings to gather input from residents on a proposed site.

On October 21, 2007, Mallinckrodt Park and the Centennial Gazebo, named in honor of the Park District's 100th Anniversary, were dedicated to the community.